Refugees subject to highest level of scrutiny & background checks of any U.S. traveler [November 19, 2015]

Today, U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09) released the following statement after voting against H.R. 4038, the American SAFE Act of 2015. This House Republican legislation would immediately halt resettlement of refugees from Syria and Iraq:

“Refugees are subject to the highest level of scrutiny and background checks of any traveler to the United States. As an inclusive nation it is our moral responsibility to help the most vulnerable Syrians fleeing ISIS's persecution.”

“We can maintain our security and remain a safe harbor. I was proud to stand up this morning for our nation as a beacon of hope, a nation free from fear of persecution or discrimination based on religious beliefs. Even following the violence that has befallen their country, France is continuing to accept refugees. We should not be turning away victims of Syrian civil war at our gates.”

Pascrell also spoke passionately on the floor of today about the humanitarian crisis in Syria and the importance of continuing to accept Syrian refugees into our communities. (Video can be found here.)

“To have one line for Christian Syrians and another line for Muslim Syrians – what are we reduced to here? What message does that send to the rest of the world? You tell me. It is shameful.”

“We're not going to sacrifice what we, as Americans, are. We're not going to do this, when women and children who have nothing on their back – nothing, nothing – in two or three years they could finally come to the gate of the greatest country in the world.”

“This is a very serious moment in our history. I want to protect America. I want to be strong. I don't agree with all the president's Syrian policies, but I think that we are doing harm to ourselves in sending the wrong message.”

“The commitment we have to public safety can be upheld even as we provide refuge to some of the world's most vulnerable people.”